The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce website is a great place to start looking for information about the county’s communities, economy, government, education, sports, and recreation. Currently, its calendar of events shows listings for the annual Saddleback Mountain Bluegrass Festival, the Western Maine Storytelling Guild event, LEAP’s annual Golf Tournament, and the area’s annual Car and Bike Show. The “Live and Work” section of the site has quick links to information on local real estate, employment, government, education, banking, public utilities, health care, religious organizations, and more. The introduction notes that, “The area provides an ideal mix of residential offerings, from modern rentals to in-town historic homes to rural homesteads with remarkable views. There is a wide diversity of local employers, so whether your niche is in health care, education, financial services or manufacturing, an opportunity awaits you. Educational opportunities, from preschool to post-secondary levels, are first class. Recent additions to walking trails have given residents and visitors the chance to see the western mountains on a level like never before. It’s easier than ever to ‘leave it all behind’ and experience nature at it’s finest. The art’s community in Franklin County is best described as ‘breathtaking.’ Throughout the year, art walks are held in Rangeley, Kingfield and Farmington. The recent addition of the Emery Arts Community Center to the local college campus has provided additional opportunities for artisans to share their work with the region.” Learn more about the area by visiting http://www.franklincountymaine.org/.

Franklin County, incorporated in 1838, is in western Maine, bordering Canada and serving as an economic gateway for U.S. and Canadian businesses. Historically, the area was known for its dairy farms, lumbering, canning, woolen mills, and shoe manufacturing industries. Towns in Franklin County include Avon, Carrabassett Valley, Carthage, Chesterville, Coplin Plt., Dallas Plt., Eustis, Farmington, Industry, Jay, Kingfield, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Phillips, Rangeley, Rangeley Plt., Sandy River Plt., Strong, Temple, Weld and Wilton.

The National Register of Historic Places shows listings in Franklin County that include the Arnold Trail to Quebec in Coburn Gore, the First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Farmington, the Madrid Village Schoolhouse in Madrid, the Rangeley Public Library, and more. For more listings and addresses, visit the site at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Register_of_Historic_Places_listings_in_Franklin_County,_Maine/. 

Another source of information about Franklin County includes the Western Mountains Alliance whose motto is, “Helping people shape the future of western Maine.” The organization “advocates for change by promoting innovative and cooperative ways of solving problems, and partnering with dozens of other organizations to implement vital education, business, finance, environment, community development, public policy and health-related projects spanning the region.” Recently, the WMA site offered a free, downloadable PDF of “Mabel’s Book,” which lists information about local farms and farm markets. For more information, visit the WMA site at http://www.westernmountainsalliance.org/.

Franklin County facts

Franklin Maine

Population, 2011 estimate 30,746 1,328,188

Population, 2010 (April 1) estimates base 30,768 1,328,361

Population, percent change, April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2011 -0.1% 0+ <1

Population, 2010 30,768 1,328,361

Persons under 5 years, percent, 2011 4.8% 5.1%

Persons under 18 years, percent, 2011 19.3% 20.3%

Persons 65 years and over, percent, 2011 17.2% 16.3%

Female persons, percent, 2011 50.9% 51.1%

Courtesy of U.S. Census

COUNTY BUILDING

140 Main Street
Farmington, ME 04938
Tel: 207-778-6614
Fax: 207-778-5899

COMMUNITIES

• Avon • Carrabassett Valley • Carthage
• Chesterville • Coplin Plt.
• Dallas Plt. • Eustis
• Farmington • Industry
• Jay • Kingfield • New Sharon • New Vineyard
• Phillips • Rangeley
• Rangeley Plt. • Sandy River Plt. • Strong • Temple • Weld

CENSUS DATA
Population…………… 30,746
County seat… Farmington
Square miles………….. 2,000
Source: U.S. Census (2011)

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